Quiz: Can You Identify These Current NBA Stars From a Photo of Their Face?: HowStuffWorks

Can You Identify These Current NBA Stars From a Photo of Their Face?

SPORTS

By: Gavin Thagard

7 Min Quiz

Image: Portland Trail Blazers via YouTube

About This Quiz

The popularity of basketball has increased significantly since the '80s after the rivalry between Larry Bird and Earvin "Magic" Johnson took the sport to a whole new level. Michael Jordan came along in the '90s and became the first true global icon of the NBA, even earning his own shoe brand that still outsells every other major basketball shoe brand in the world.

There are the current NBA stars who have benefited from the greats of the past as the game has turned into a worldwide phenomenon. These players have their faces posted everywhere, from billboards to internet memes, and even tattooed on people's bodies. That's why NBA fans shouldn't have a hard time recognizing them.

Are you truly an NBA fan, or are you just a pretender who casually watches games when nothing else is going on? Will you be able to recognize not only your favorite players but also the stars across the entire league? After all, there's a chance those players in Portland may be the first to come to mind despite their insane skill level.

When you're ready to give this quiz a shot, get started and see if you can identify the biggest names around the league.

Milwaukee Bucks via YouTube

Named the NBA MVP in 2019, who is this current star?

Giannis Antetokounmpo

LeBron James

James Harden

Stephen Curry

Known as the "Greek Freak," Giannis Antetokounmpo truly is an anomaly on the court. Despite standing nearly 7 feet tall, Antetokounmpo has the ball handling skills of a point guard and the ability to slam it down from the free-throw line.

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Sports Productions via YouTube

One of the only players currently compared to Michael Jordan, which NBA star do you see here?

Kevin Durant

LeBron James

Anthony Davis

Blake Griffin

LeBron James went to the NBA Finals for eight straight seasons with the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers. From those eight appearances, James walked away with three NBA championships.

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Mercury News via YouTube

This player revolutionized the NBA with his deep three point shot. What's his name?

Damian Lillard

Bradley Beal

Stephen Curry

Kyle Lowry

Stephen Curry is a two-time NBA MVP and a three-time NBA champion. However, he hasn't played his best basketball in the NBA Finals, evident by the fact that he hasn't been awarded a Finals MVP.

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CaCHooKaManTV via YouTube

Do you recognize this NBA star who was moved to the Los Angeles Lakers when the 2019 season ended?

Paul George

Anthony Davis

Chris Paul

Russell Westbrook

The first overall draft pick in the 2012 NBA draft, Anthony Davis has lived up to the hype in the regular season, but that hasn't translated into the playoffs quite yet. His move to Los Angeles will give him the opportunity to play alongside another star, LeBron James.

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The Sixth Man via YouTube

Few stars try as hard on both ends of the court as which one shown here?

James Harden

Blake Griffin

Joel Embiid

Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard has taken down two of the most dominant playoff teams in NBA history: the 2014 Miami Heat and the 2019 Golden State Warriors. Those two playoff victories have given Leonard the only two titles of his career.

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The Oklahoman via YouTube

What is the name of this floor general who has yet to win an NBA title despite his high skill level?

Chris Paul

Damian Lillard

Kemba Walker

Klay Thompson

Though he can score and defend, Chris Paul really shines on the basketball court when it comes to setting up his teammates. He has led the NBA in assists four times in his career, holding a career average of over nine assists per game.

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Houston Rockets via YouTube

How well do you know this star who's one of the fastest players from end to end in the NBA?

James Harden

Russell Westbrook

Paul George

John Wall

Russell Westbrook was only the second player ever and the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple double for a season. To add to his greatness, however, Westbrook did it for three straight seasons.

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TheFlightMike via YouTube

A two way forward who was in the MVP conversation last year, which star is this?

LaMarcus Aldridge

Damian Lillard

Karl-Anthony Towns

Paul George

After a few seasons with the Indiana Pacers, Paul George showed he could be a star in the NBA. However, he suffered a devastating leg injury in training camp for the U.S. National Team that forced him to miss most of the 2014-15 NBA season. He wouldn't return to form until his next season with the Pacers.

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Houston Rockets via YouTube

Is this offensive powerhouse a player you're familiar with?

James Harden

Blake Griffin

Bradley Beal

Joel Embiid

James Harden has benefited greatly from the new NBA rules that favor offensive players, particularly in the regular season. He has struggled in the playoffs, however, when defenses play tougher basketball and referees let more contact go.

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FAIR GAME via YouTube

Identify this star who was once part of "Lob City" in Los Angeles?

DeAndre Jordan

DeMarcus Cousins

Blake Griffin

Kevin Love

Blake Griffin began his NBA career as a high flying monster, who could grab alley-oops and slam them down from anywhere around the basket. He changed his game in recent years, though, and has developed a three-point shot to help him fit into the modern NBA.

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The Painted Lines via YouTube

This player can both trash talk and back it up. Who is he?

LaMarcus Aldridge

Kemba Walker

Dwight Howard

Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers suffered a devastating loss to the Toronto Raptors in Game 7 of the 2019 NBA Playoffs. Embiid's conditioning was called into question, which has inspired him to focus on getting in better shape heading into the 2019-20 season.

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Portland Trail Blazers via YouTube

What's the name of this All-Star caliber point guard who plays with the Portland Trail Blazers?

Damian Lillard

Kyle Lowry

John Wall

CJ McCollum

Damian Lillard had a great run in the first two rounds of the 2019 NBA Playoffs. However, in the Western Conference Finals, his Portland Trail Blazers went down in four games to the Golden State Warriors.

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Hoop District via YouTube

Can you select the right name for this star shooting guard?

John Wall

Bradley Beal

Kyle Lowry

Kemba Walker

Bradley Beal has carried a Washington Wizards team that has struggled to find much success due to salary cap issues. Beal made his second straight All-Star Game in 2019, however, showing that he can be a major piece in a championship contender team.

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San Antonio Spurs via YouTube

You might recognize which player depicted here for being one of the few stars left on the San Antonio Spurs?

Jimmy Butler

Andre Drummond

LaMarcus Aldridge

Rudy Gobert

When LaMarcus Aldridge first got to the San Antonio Spurs, expectations were high because he had the responsibility of replacing Spurs legend Tim Duncan. Aldridge ended up finding his own role on the team and has been a big reason they keep making playoff appearances.

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WikiCommons by Chensiyuan

Are you able to identify this player who can score at will when he's healthy?

Dwight Howard

DeMarcus Cousins

Klay Thompson

Kevin Love

While recovering from an injury, DeMarcus Cousins signed a one year deal with the Golden State Warriors in 2018. He became a significant contributor to the team, but injuries to other players kept the Warriors from winning their third straight championship.

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TSN via YouTube

Pick out the name of this NBA star who helped the Toronto Raptors win an NBA title in 2019.

Kyle Lowry

Karl-Anthony Towns

John Wall

Ben Simmons

Kyle Lowry isn't the flashiest player on the court, but he is one of the most determined. A double-digit scorer with a high basketball IQ, Lowry is one of the best at orchestrating an offense.

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Boston Celtics via YouTube

He's a gifted scorer from the point guard position. Do you know this player?

John Wall

Jimmy Butler

CJ McCollum

Kemba Walker

Prior to joining the pros in 2011, Kemba Walker won the NCAA championship with UConn. During that run to the championship, Walker put on some stellar performances and was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player.

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Los Angeles Lakers via YouTube

How well do you know this big man who has found himself on multiple rosters in recent years?

Karl-Anthony Towns

Kevin Love

Dwight Howard

Andrew Wiggins

There was a time when Dwight Howard was an MVP candidate and one of the most dominant players on both ends of the court. Though he can still produce at a high level, his inability to shoot three-pointers has been somewhat of a detriment for the big man in recent years.

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Golden State Warriors via YouTube

He is one of the best three-point shooters in the league. Who is this?

Ben Simmons

DeMar DeRozan

Klay Thompson

CJ McCollum

Even though he had a stellar start to his career, Klay Thompson really exploded onto the scene in the 2012-13 season, the year he broke the record alongside Stephen Curry for the most threes by an NBA duo. They topped that record each of the next two seasons, finally winning an NBA title in 2015.

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Washington Wizards via YouTube

Which star point guard for the Washington Wizards is this?

Khris Middleton

Jimmy Butler

Kevin Love

John Wall

John Wall is undoubtedly an All-Star caliber player when he's on the court, but he has spent much of the last two seasons recovering from injuries. Considering he signed a huge four-year deal in 2017, the Washington Wizards can only hope he gets back to form.

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Minnesota Timberwolves via YouTube

Few young stars have as much hype around them as which one depicted here?

Karl-Anthony Towns

Andrew Wiggins

Andre Drummond

Ben Simmons

Coming out of Kentucky, Karl-Anthony Towns was the first overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft. In his first season, Towns averaged 18.3 points and 10.5 rebounds, earning him the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

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Cleveland Cavaliers via YouTube

Is this veteran forward a player you recognize?

Nikola Jokic

Kevin Love

Rudy Gobert

Al Horford

Prior to joining the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kevin Love was an MVP candidate with the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, once he joined LeBron James, Love had to take a step back and fit into a different role as they competed for championships.

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Denver Nuggets via YouTube

Select the name of this big man who always makes the right play on the court?

Paul Millsap

Jusuf Nurkic

Rudy Gobert

Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic can do it all as a big man, but it's his vision that separates Jokic from other centers on the court. Always willing to set up his teammates, Jokic averaged 7.3 assists over the course of the 2018-19 season.

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Minnesota Timberwolves via YouTube

Can you identify this young player who has a ton of potential if he can keep improving?

Andrew Wiggins

Ben Simmons

DeMar DeRozan

D'Angelo Russell

After signing a five-year contract extension worth $148 million with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrew Wiggins' heart has been called into question because he hasn't lived up to the contract. If he couldn't stay healthy would be one thing, but Wiggins' problem is more about consistency.

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DetPistonsOfficial via YouTube

He's a rebounding machine. What's this star's name?

Rudy Gobert

Andre Drummond

Al Horford

Tobias Harris

Though he can score in the double digits, Andre Drummond's main focus has always been on the boards. He has led the league in rebounds three times in his career and has a career average of 13.7 rebounds per game.

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Philadelphia 76ers via YouTube

All this point guard is missing from being an MVP-caliber player is a jump shot. Who is he?

Khris Middleton

Devin Booker

Ben Simmons

Andre Iguodala

Because of his size, ball handling skills and court visions, many analysts thought Ben Simmons would be the next LeBron James. He hasn't quite reached that level, though, because he can't shoot the ball from the outside to keep defenses honest.

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Miami Herald via YouTube

Are you familiar with this star who exudes passion for the game?

Jimmy Butler

D'Angelo Russell

Draymond Green

Mike Conley Jr.

Looking to play for a title contender, Jimmy Butler forced his way out of Minnesota in 2018. He was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, where he became a closer for the team in the fourth quarter.

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Portland Trail Blazers via YouTube

Do you recognize this star who shot lights out in the 2019 playoffs?

DeMar DeRozan

CJ McCollum

Devin Booker

Tobias Harris

It took CJ McCollum three years to work his way into a starting role with the Portland Trail Blazers. Once he earned that spot, however, he proved his worth, averaging over 20 points per game every year since he became a starter.

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Utah Jazz via YouTube

Identify this center who is a defensive force underneath the basket.

Derrick Rose

Pau Gasol

Draymond Green

Rudy Gobert

With a 7 feet, 9-inch wingspan, Rudy Gobert has the ability to clog the lanes on the defensive side of the court. Offensive players have a difficult time getting shots off over him, as he swats away ball after ball when they go up.

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Rico Hines Basketball via YouTube

Can you identify this point guard who has some of the nastiest ball handling skills in NBA history?

Chris Paul

Kemba Walker

Kyrie Irving

Russell Westbrook

Kyrie Irving demanded a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers after reaching the NBA Finals three times with the team. He hoped to lead his own squad to a title, as he was the sidekick to LeBron James in Cleveland, but he hasn't quite been able to do that yet.

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Phoenix Suns via YouTube

Which player shown here is one of the few bright spots on the Phoenix Suns?

Mike Conley Jr.

D'Angelo Russell

Devin Booker

Paul Millsap

Evidence of Devin Booker's potential was shown in 2019 when he scored at least 50 points in consecutive games against the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards. Unfortunately, his team lost both of those games.

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San Antonio Spurs via YouTube

A four-time All-Star, which player is this?

Andre Iguodala

Khris Middleton

DeMar DeRozan

Al Horford

DeMar DeRozan helped the Toronto Raptors reach the playoffs for five straight seasons. However, these appearances were during LeBron James' reign over the Eastern Conference, and the Raptors never made it to the NBA Finals.

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Philadelphia 76ers via YouTube

How well do you know this star who can shoot three-pointers as well as any forward?

Tobias Harris

JJ Redick

Paul Millsap

Mike Conley Jr.

Knowing they needed more three point shooting to complete the process in Philadelphia, the 76ers traded for Tobias Harris in 2019. The trade wasn't enough to get them to the NBA Finals, but they are one of the favorites going into the 2019-20 season.

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Milwaukee Bucks via YouTube

This player will have to keep improving if the Milwaukee Bucks want to reach the NBA Finals. Who is he?

Malcolm Brogdon

Khris Middleton

Eric Bledsoe

Derrick Rose

For a second-round selection, Khris Middleton has definitely played beyond expectations. He finally made his first All-Star Game in 2019 after averaging 18.3 points, six rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.

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Philadelphia 76ers via YouTube

What's the name of this player who's one of the most well-rounded stars in the NBA?

Pau Gasol

Jayson Tatum

Gordon Hayward

Al Horford

Prior to joining the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 offseason, Al Horford played for the Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks. He helped each team reach the playoffs every season, except in 2014 with the Hawks.

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Golden State Warriors via YouTube

Can you identify this young star who made his first All-Star Game in 2019?

D'Angelo Russell

Draymond Green

Eric Bledsoe

DeAndre Ayton

D'Angelo Russell came into his own during the 2018-19 season, making his first All-Star Game with the Brooklyn Nets. However, following the season, the Nets acquired Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, so they traded Russell to the Golden State Warriors.

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Golden State Warriors via YouTube

Known for making big plays in crucial moments, is this a star you're familiar with?

Paul Millsap

Mike Conley Jr.

Shaun Livingston

Andre Iguodala

Andre Iguodala isn't one of the most glamorous players in the league, but he is one of the most accomplished. A three-time NBA champion, Iguodala was named the Finals MVP in 2015 after the Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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No Chill Productions via YouTube

Are you familiar with this two-time Finals MVP, who is a dangerous offensive threat?

Paul George

James Harden

Kawhi Leonard

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant's decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors was heavily criticized by both his peers and analysts across the league. It wasn't that he left the Thunder but was more the fact that he joined a team that had won 73 games the year before.

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DetPistonsOfficial via YouTube

Are you familiar with this star who has proven he can still be a threat even after tearing his ACL?

Jayson Tatum

Derrick Rose

Gordon Hayward

Jaylen Brown

There was a time when Derrick Rose was one of the most athletic players the NBA had ever seen, even winning the NBA MVP in 2011. That season, Rose was electric on the court, averaging 25 points and 7.7 assists per game.

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Golden State Warriors via YouTube

Do you know the name of this defensive stud?

Paul Millsap

Mike Conley Jr.

Draymond Green

Ricky Rubio

Draymond Green has been an integral part of the Golden State Warriors' three NBA championships. Green plays both ends of the court and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2017.

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